Insecurity Overwhelming Nigeria – Gov Inuwa Yahaya

• Says kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling becoming incurable

• Advocates collective approach to security challenges, others

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State is alarmed that Nigeria has been overwhelmed current spate of insecurity fast turning it into a senseless killing field.

He said it is unfortunate that unending kidnappings, banditry, cattle rustling and crisis of different proportions have turned the country into a totally unsecured environment for lives and property.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said most worrying is the fact that the country has not been proactive in addressing issues of insecurity, especially in the face of a growing restive youth population.

The Governor, who spoke when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar visited him at Government House, Gombe, said there are disturbing signals that the country could increasing find it difficult to handle future repercussions of current happenings if something is not done urgently.

He said more collaborative approach and synergy among all segments of the population are required to combat the present security challenges rocking the country.

“We are all aware of the current security situation in the North east and the entire country. Indeed, your visit here today will help fortify our state as well as our people; their lives; and means of livelihood so that they can produce more and the Nigerian economy will grow and eventually the security of lives and property will be guaranteed.”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya however appreciated the Nigerian Armed Forces’ efforts in tackling criminal activities in the North-east and the country in general saying, “So far, we feel we are well represented and in fact, well secured under your leadership as CAS.”

He also said that establishing the Combat Reconnaissance Group (CRG) in Gombe State will help in strengthening peace and security and safety of lives and property of the citizenry, even as he commended the pace of work at the Air Force base site.

According to him; “What we are seeing on ground is quiet contrary to what we use to see before, whereby whenever a project is proposed in a place it takes years to take off, but for us here the very day the Nigerian Air Force came requesting for land we obliged and provided the land and what happened the following week they took immediate possession of the land and started developing the site, this is quite commendable.”

Governor Yahaya praised the Air Force for embarking on community relations and corporate social responsibility through its medical outreach, noting that the development justifies the symbiotic relationship existing between the host communities and NAF.

He said the State Government will not relent in encouraging and motivating the people to support NAF activities, adding that the geographical position of Gombe State in the North East places it at a strategic position for smooth operation by men of the Reconnaissance Group.

Pledging government’s readiness to partner with NAF to ensure its mission in the State is achieved and sustained, the governor said; “the success of the Air Force is equally the success of our State and the nation.”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also assured that of his administration’s unflinching support as well as the cooperation and understanding of Gombe people towards the full operation and successful stay of the group in the state

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar said the working visit to the 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group was to equally express the NAF’s gratitude to the Governor for not only approving a vast land for the project, but also paying compensation to individuals whose lands were affected following Federal Government’s establishment of the Air Force base in Gombe State.

He described CRG as a strategic unit not only in the fight against insurgency, but also against banditry and other criminal activities in the North East, North West and the country in general.

Air Marshal Abubakar also said NAF is deploying a Special Unit to serve as a protective shield to its assets in Gombe, adding that as part of efforts to activate the base, NAF has sent more than 71 of its personnel on special training in China currently and they would be deployed immediately on returning to the country.

The Governor later accompanied his guest to the construction site of the 203 combat reconnaissance group to assess the progress of work.